The National Book Development Board (NBDB) has unveiled the 41st National Book Awards winners, sending waves of excitement through the literary scene in the Philippines. Reflecting the diversity and richness of Philippine literature, 35 titles emerged victorious across 34 categories in seven languages — Filipino, English, Bikol, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Tausug, and Waray.

Literary Division

In the Literary Division, Glenn Diaz secured Best Novel in English for Yñiga: A Novel, and RM Topacio-Aplaon claimed Best Novel in Filipino for El Arbol de Alegria: Southern Quartet I. Notably, Vida Cruz-Borja won the National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English with Song of the Mango and Other New Myths, while Rowena P. Festin earned the Gerardo C. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino with Ang Buang ng Bayan: Mga Maikling Kuwento.

Acknowledging excellence in nonfiction, Wilfredo Liangco’s Even Ducks Get Liver Cancer and other medical misadventures and Eric Ramos’s Rodolfo Biazon: Soldier, Solon, Statesman received the Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction in English. Jesus Aman Calvario’s Pasasaan claimed the Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in the Filipino category.

In the poetry category, Arlene J. Yandug’s Coming home to the Island: Poems (Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English) and Miguel Paolo Celestial’s Sa Ika-ilang Sirkulo ng Impiyerno (Victor C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino) took top honors.

Graphic novels and comics made a mark with Death Be Damned and Josefina securing the Best Book of Graphic Novel and Comics in English and Filipino, respectively.

Recognizing translated works, Ken Ishikawa’s translation of Bebang Siy’s It’s a Men’s World and Chuckberry J. Pascual’s translation of Miguel Syjuco’s Ilustrado earned acclaim from the NBDB.

Non-Literary Division 

In the non-literary division, standout winners included Julio Nakpil (1867-1960) Collected Works Volume 1: Piano, Vocal, and Chamber Music for Best Book on Art and Transfiguring Mindanao: A Mindanao Reader for the Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences.

This year’s National Book Awards showcase the vibrancy and depth of Philippine literature, reaffirming the country’s position as a hub of literary creativity.

For the complete list of winners, visit the NBDB website.